the swine industry. objectives understand importance of the swine industry overview of the structure...

The Swine Industry

Objectives

Understand importance of the swine industry

Overview of the structure of the swine industry

Become familiar with termsBreeds

Swine Industry: Structural Overview

Concentrated in the MidwestArea of major corn and soybean

productionMajor feed ingredients- complementary

of each other

Corn Production

Primary Energy Source= Corn

Soybean Production

Primary Protein Source= Soybean

Concentration in Midwest

Why not expand?Environmental Issues/ConcernsWhy Midwest?

Large open land massSparse populationReceptive to agriculturePrecedent: Feedlots

Vertical Integration

What is vertical integration?Integrating several stages of production

into single management of one organization

Seedstock

Farrow to FinishPacker/Processor

Sectors of the Swine Industry

Seedstock ProductionSell breeding stock (boars and gilts)Supply the genetic base for changeTraditional Producers: produce

purebred stock for use in crossbreeding programs

Hybrid: carefully orchestrated crossbred

Feeder Pig Production

Maintain breeding herdProduct sold: feeder pigs

40 to 60 lbs.2 months of age

Farrowing

Process of sow/gilt giving birthFarrowing stalls:

Protect baby pigProvide dual heat

Drip coolers for sow Heat pads/lamps for pigs

Feeder Pig Production

Production FactorsReproductive PerformanceAverage of 2.5 litters/yrWeaned litter size of 10-12 pigs21 day litter weight- reflects milk

production

Feeder Pig Production

Reproductive Traits are lowly heritableMust properly manage the environmentMinimize diseaseProvide disease adequate nutrition

Grower-Finisher Operations

Purchase Feeder PigsProduct sold: market hogs

Sold at 250 lbs5-6 months of age

Average daily Gain (ADG) 2 lbsFeed Conversion: 3 lbs of feed to 1 lb of

gain

Grower-Finisher Operations

Who’s leaner? Gilts or BarrowsWho eats more feed? Gilts or BarrowsWho grows faster? Gilts or BarrowsWho is more efficient? Gilts or Barrows

Terms

Gilt: Young FemaleSow: Mature FemaleBoar pig: Young, Intact MaleBoar: Mature, Intact MaleBarrow: Young, Castrated MaleStag: Mature, Castrated Male

Terms

Farrowing: Act of giving birthWeaning: Withdrawing young from

mother’s milk

Landrace

WhiteLong BodiedFloppy EarsMothering Ability

Berkshire

Black with 6 white pointsCarcass

Duroc

RedFloppy EarsMothering abilityGrowth Rate

Hampshire

Black with white beltErect EarsMuscle and Carcass Leaness

Spotted

Black and whiteHas Spots!Efficient Gains